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Upper limits on the stochastic gravitational-wave background from Advanced LIGO's first observing run
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 11:31 authored by Abbott, BP, Abbott, R, Karelle SiellezKarelle Siellez, Zweizig, JA wide variety of astrophysical and cosmological sources are expected to contribute to a stochastic gravitational-wave background. Following the observations of GW150914 and GW151226, the rate and mass of coalescing binary black holes appear to be greater than many previous expectations. As a result, the stochastic background from unresolved compact binary coalescences is expected to be particularly loud. We perform a search for the isotropic stochastic gravitational-wave background using data from Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory's (aLIGO) first observing run. The data display no evidence of a stochastic gravitational-wave signal. We constrain the dimensionless energy density of gravitational waves to be ?0<1.7x10-7 with 95% confidence, assuming a flat energy density spectrum in the most sensitive part of the LIGO band (20-86 Hz). This is a factor of ~33 times more sensitive than previous measurements. We also constrain arbitrary power-law spectra. Finally, we investigate the implications of this search for the background of binary black holes using an astrophysical model for the background.
History
Publication title
Physical Review LettersVolume
118Issue
12Article number
121101Number
121101Pagination
1-12ISSN
0031-9007Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
American Physical SocPlace of publication
One Physics Ellipse, College Pk, USA, Md, 20740-3844Rights statement
© 2017 American Physical Society.Repository Status
- Restricted